Jackson Yueill got a stoppage-time game winner to cap a second-half comeback, as the San Jose Earthquakes beat LAFC 2-1 at Banc of California Stadium on Sunday night.
Despite being outshot and outpossessed throughout the first half, the Quakes nearly got out of the first half without giving up a goal, blocking five of the nine shots that LAFC sent their way. JT Marcinkowski also got on the highlight reel with a 43rd-minute save on a Diego Rossi shot. But an LAFC attack in the 45th minute ended with Bradley Wright-Phillips nudging a pass to Mark-Anthony Kaye, who finished calmly to break the deadlock.
LAFC continued to pressure San Jose in the second half, with Brian Rodriguez troubling the backline, and Kaye nearly getting his second goal midway through the half on a shot that just sailed over the bar. But then the Quakes were able to get dividends for their spells of possession. Salinas carried from his left back position into the box, cut inside, and struck with determination to even the match. Both teams had late, dangerous chances to win, but couldn't convert on their chances.
But then, in the third minute of stoppage time, the Quakes were able to make a break down the field. Cristian Espinoza found Yueill in front of goal with a perfect pass, and Yueill surefooted the close-range finisher to shock the home side. The Quakes' celebrations didn't feature the magic spray bursts of the team's legendary MLS is Back Tournament celebration, but it was reminiscent.
Goals
- 45' – LAFC – Mark-Anthony Kaye | WATCH
- 80' – SJ – Shea Salinas | WATCH
- 90' + 3' – SJ – Jackson Yueill | WATCH
Three Things
- THE BIG PICTURE: The loss drops LAFC to 7th in the West standings, and brings up some very real concerns about the offense. Rodriguez, in particular, looked primed to score a goal, but he met with some tenacious D on the San Jose side. While the Quakes are still last in the West, tonight showed how the Quakes are capable of playing. Now it's just a matter of how often they can do it.
- MOMENT OF THE MATCH: Clearly, it's Yueill's game winner, though Salinas's goal came out of ... not nowhere, exactly, but was unexpected given the trajectory of the match, and definitely sparked San Jose into belief.
- MAN OF THE MATCH: Marcinkowski had six saves on the night, and it was largely thanks to him that the Quakes could equalize with just a single goal. In some recent matches, the Quakes have been in defecit chasms too daunting to dig out from.
Next Up
- LAFC: Sunday, October 4 at Real Salt Lake (8:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+, DAZN in Canada)
- SJ: Saturday, October 3 vs. LA Galaxy (9:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+, DAZN in Canada)
